Pump for liquid fuel burning apparatus



Nov. 28, 1939. M. A. POWERS 2,181,249

PUMP FOR LIQUID FUEL BURNING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 11, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 M/fo/i A Power;

Ska/rm Nov. 28, 1939. M, ow s 2,

PUMP FOR LIQUID FUEL BURNING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 11, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 W W w W 5 m m. 7 0v 6 H M J a a 5 4 WW z 2 6 7 H ?/////IZ 2 ,2 NW H H 2 7 2 a. m M 2 a 5. M M w 2/ m Nov. 28, 1939. M. A. POWERS PUMP-FOR LIQUID FUEL BURNING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 11, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 in W H Talented Kain-28, 1939 illll'illlElD STATES PATENT OFFICE Milto'n AfPowers, Detroit, Mich., assignor to The Timken-Detroit Axle Company, Detroit, Mich.,

a corporation of Ohio Application August 11,

16 Claims.

"This invention relates to a novel apparatus for burning liquid fuel in accordance with what has com-e to be known recently as the wall flame principle. More specifically, the invention re- 55 lates to rotary power burners for use in small installations, such as hot water heaters, although iit is not limited to such use.

In most cases in the prior art the rotating parts of rotary oil burners are separately assembled 110 and are of considerable size and weight. This necessitates considerable power for their operaition, and it is evident that high stresses are inherent due to the centrifugal forces set up as a result of which the parts must be made extremely 215 rigid. Perhaps for this reason, in many prior devices fuel oil is supplied at approximately the .level at which it is to be discharged so that addi-- tional work will not be required of the operating motor. However, in order to supply the fuel oil at this point, it is necessary in many installations to have a special device to perform this one .function. It is highly desirable to use a single motor to perform all the work.

The rotating parts of my device are assembled as a unit and are of relatively small diameter so that the centrifugal force developed thereby is negligible, which permits the use of very light parts. Consequently, the power required to rotate such parts is exceedingly small, and I am able to use a relatively small operating motor both for this purpose and to also raise the fuel oil to the level at which it is to be discharged. Therefore, one of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a rotary oil burner having small parts of light weight and operated with a minimum of friction by a relatively small motor.

In prior rotary liquid fuel burners it is necessary-in order to service them-to very nearly completely dismantle them. Hence, a further major object is to provide a rotary oil burner in which the various rotating parts may be assembled and installed in the burner as a unit.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a liquid fuel burner in which the burner head may be removed by merely lifting it vertically from its hearing.

A further object of this invention is to provide a liquid fuel burner in which the head assembly including the fuel distributor, fuel delivery means and the motive power means is carried by only one bearing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a liquid fuel burner having an electric motor in which the motor rotor is assembled directly on the liquid fuel distributing unit.

A further object of im entige i? to provide,

1936, Serial No. 95,413

in a rotary fuel burner, a unitary casing which supports the stator of the motor and the means for regulating the amount of combustion air entering the combustion chamber.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a rotary fuel burner in which the motor is ventilated by the air used to support combustion.

A still further object of this invention is to devise a rotary fuel burner in which a unitary casing connected to the hearth supports the stator of the motor, the air control means and the fuel delivery means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a liquid fuel burner having a motor assembly comprising a rotary head, a casing with a liquid fuel reservoir arranged therein and fuel delivery means arranged to project into said reservoir to convey fuel to said head when the latter is rotated.

Further objects will become apparent as the specification proceeds in connection with the annexed drawings and from the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical elevational view, with the right half in section, of a hot water heater embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the unitary motor, fuel lifting device and distributing head and illustrates the parts in partially disassembled condition;

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2 but shows a modified form of motor and pump base assembly also forming part of the invention; and is taken on line 3-3 of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmental sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 4 and shows the liquid fuel inlet; and

Figure 6 is a fragmental sectional view showing a further modified form of base assembly also forming part ofthe invention.

With continued reference to the drawings wherein like reference characters have been employed to designate like parts throughout the several views thereof, certain features of the disclosure correspond to my co-pending application Serial No. 740,698, filed August 20, 1934, now matured into United States Patent No. 2,130,471 issued September 20, 1938,v of which this application is a continuation-in-part, and the description will accordingly only briefly set forth subject matter which is claimed in that application.

The complete burner A is mounted centrally in a combustion chamber C with its oil delivery level approximately on a level with the lower portion of the water legs of water heater D, which is supported on a base B. Oil is supplied to the burner from any conventional storage tank to an oil metering and constant level valve located in the front portion E of base B (not shown), and thence to the burner A.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the oil and air supply mechanism proper consists essentially of a stationary portion l and a rotating portion 2. Said stationary portion consists of an outer casing 4 of cup-like section having an upstanding central boss 6 therein. Approximately midway down the inner surface of said casing 4 is placed the stator portion 8 of the propelling electric motor. Stator portion 8 is suitably positioned and retained in casing 4 by being press-fitted into a cylindrical surface and against a shoulder provided therefor in the casing. The stator embodies coils 9 which are so disposed as not to interfere with the type of air circulation hereinafter described. The bottom of casing 4 is preferably provided with a plurality of apertures 5 for permitting any oil leakage to drain free and to allow ventilating air currents to flow upwardly through the casing.

The upper portion of said casing has a series of apertures l0, extending intermittently around the outer periphery for the purpose of admitting air. Placed around said apertures l0 and located in a groove l5 provided therefor in casing 4 is an air shutter I l for the purpose of controlling the air supply. The air, that is thus supplied for combustion, serves during its passage to cool the motor, particularly the windings 9 thereof. The air shutter is provided with ears l2 at its ends, which may be clamped together by means of screw M, in order to lock said shutter in place. A series of lugs I! are provided on the outer periphery of easing 4 approximately midway its height, said lugs being apertured to receive bolts for bolting said burn-er in position upon the hearth plate assembly to be hereinafter described.

The central upstanding boss 6 has a tapered aperture 20 extending through to the bottom of easing 4 for the purpose of press-fittedly receiving a bronze sleeve 22. Sleeve 22 has an aperture running therethrough, the upper portion 24 of which is of a smaller diameter than the lower portion 25. The lower extremity of portion 25 is suitably threaded to receive a special screw 26 which seals said extremity by means of clamping packing 28 between the screw head and the lower end of said sleeve. Mounted on top of screw 26 and within portion 25 is a hardened plug 30 which is substantially cylindrical in shape and for a purpose to be described later.

A chamber sealed at its lower portion thus is formed on the inside of sleeve 22. This chamher is utilized as a lubricant reservoir to insure lubrication of a rotating shaft to be described later, and is connected to the lubricant source by means of a passage 32 drilled horizontally through a boss 33 provided therefor in casing 4 which connects said chamber with a pipethreaded aperture 34 at the outer, lower periphery of easing 4. A suitable oil reservoir 36 is threaded into said aperture 34 and is of sufficient height to insure adequate lubrication of the rotating shaft throughout its bearinged length.

The outside diameter of sleeve 22 above the tapered portion is of uniform size and of a smooth surface. Surrounding said last-mentioned portion is a space 31 formed by an upstanding cylindrical portion 38 of upstanding boss 6 which likewise has smooth inner and outer diameters of uniform size. Fuel oil is admitted. to p ce 31 by means of aperture 40 which connects with the outer periphery of casing 4 and aperture 42. Fuel oil is supplied to aperture 40 from a conduit 43 which leads from the valve mechanism.

The rotating portion 2 of the distributing head includes an armature or rotor 46 which is assembled as a unit by means of screws 48 to a circular flange provided therefor on a casting 50. The inside and outside diameters of rotor 46 are of such size as to provide ample running clearance between the inside diameter of stator 8 and the outside diameter of cylindrical portion 38. Casting 50 has a lower cylindrical portion 5| which is interiorly threaded as at 52. Threads 52 are of the multiple lead variety and have an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of sleeve 22. In practice, the clearance between threads 52 and the outside diameter of sleeve 22 is from .016" to .022". The lower portion of threads 52 dip into the fuel oil contained in space 31. When said threaded portion is rotated a pumping or lifting action is initiated and the fuel oil is carried upwardly. Although threads 52 are shown as having a square formation, it is obvious that they may take other forms and yet exert the desired lifting action upon the liquid.

Connecting with the upper portion of thread 52 and disposed at an angle therewith are two diametrically opposite apertures 56. Said apertures extend to the uppermost portion of casting 50, and have press-fitted therein the lower ends of a pair of oil flinger tubes 58. The flinger tubes are bent at their upper extremities to form nozzles 60. The upper portion of sleeve 22 has a reduced diameter to afford more space to minimize leakage of fuel oil into the upper end of the bearing structure.

On the outside of cylindrical portion 5| is a second thread 54 which is shown as having a V form and which has a lead opposite or reverse to that of the thread 52. Said thread may also be of the multiple lead variety. The outside diameter of thread 54 is of slightly less size than the inside diameter of cylindrical portion 38 of boss 6. The clearance in this case may be as high as .030". The lower portion of this thread also dips into the fuel oil in space 31, but due to its thread having a reversed lead with respect to thread 52, it produces a pumping action downwardly. In this manner the oil is prevented from escaping out of space 31 into the motor and the pumping or lifting action of threads 52 is augmented.

Extending centrally through an aperture provided therefor in casting 50 and in press-fitted engagement therewith so as to rotate synchronously therewith is shaft 62 having its lower portion hardened and ground. This shaft has in its lower portion a shallow hole 64 which is so sized as to rotatably receive a hardened ball 66. After insertion of ball 66, the lower periphery of hole 64 is peened over so as to rotatably retain the ball. Shaft 62 is so positioned with respect to casting 50 that when the rotating portion 2 is lowered so that ball 66 rests on hardened block 30, armature 46 will be in register with stator 8, the upper surface of cylindrical portion 38 will clear the registering portion of casting 50 and the lower surface of cylindrical portion 5| will not abut the lower surface forming space 31. This assembled relationship of the parts is seen in Figure 1.

Rotating portion 2 of the assembly is accordingly supported solely upon hardened block 30 so that the only friction resisting turning of said rotating portion results from the contact of ball 66 with hardened block 30 and the friction of shaft 62 within bearing 24 of sleeve 22. The friction is reduced to a minimum by the previously described apparatus for supplying the parts with a constant supply of lubricant.

A fan 10 is provided on the upper portion of shaft 62 and consists essentially of a disk I2 of sheet metal having at its central portion a plug I4 shear-riveted in place as at 16. Plug 14 is centrally apertured to receive shaft 62 and is provided with a set screw I8 for the purpose of maintaining fan I in the proper vertical relation to shaft 62 and nozzle 69. Spot-welded to the underside of metal disk 12 is a series of fan blades 89. It is understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the particular fan head described, as any suitable form may be used.

The parts above described in detail are shown in assembled and running position in Figure 1. The entire mechanism is bolted to a lower metal hearth plate 82 by means of bolts 8I passing through apertures provided therefor in the lugs I I. A packing ring 84 is provided between the upper cylindrical surface of casing 4 and hearth plate 82 as a means of insulating against excessive heat and preventing air leaks.

The hearth assembly in which the distributing mechanism is placed is very similar to that disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 729,928, filed June 9, 1934, patented December 22, 1936, No. 2,065,393, and it will only be briefly described herein. It consists of the lower hearth plate 82, the layer of insulation 83 on top thereof, said plate 82 and insulation 83 being bolted to an internal flange 85 provided therefor on the heater base B by means of bolts 86; and an upper metal hearth plate or hearth proper 88, which is spaced from the lower hearth 82 by means of spacers 90. The spacers are of channel section and have apertures 92 in their vertical surface for the purpose of ventilation. Spacers 90 are spot-welded to upper hearth plate 88 and are secured to lower hearth plate 82 and insulation 84 by means of bolts 9|.

- A further spacer 94 of cylindrical form is placed between the hearths 82 and 88 at their center portions, the upper and lower hearths 88 and 82 respectively being centrally apertured of a size equal to the inside diameter of spacer 94. Upper hearth 88 is lipped upwardly as at 96 around its central aperture. Resting on said lip 96 is a flanged cylindrical member 98 which fits snugly inside of spacer 94. In assembly, member 98 is inserted after spacer 94 has been inserted between the upper and lower hearths. The lower portion of said member 98 is then peened or bent, over and around the underside of the aperture through lower hearth 82. In this manner member 98 is retained in place and at the same time retains spacer 94 and insures the relative spacing of the upper and lower hearths. The peripheral flange of member 98 extends to a diameter very nearly equal to the outer diameter of fan blades 80. This prevents recirculation of the air through the fan.

Upper hearth 88 has at its outer periphery an upstanding flange 89 for the purpose of collecting any moisture or unburned fuel which may drop from the combustion chamber wall so that it may be evaporated, or burned, as the case may be, when the temperature becomes high enough. In close proximity to the outer periphery of the combustion chamber is a series of three continuous rings, each formed in one piece or strip of sheet metal, and comprising: an air deflecting ring I00, nearest the burner head, and of the least height; an oil impingement and vaporizing ring I02, of greater height; and an outer ring I04, of the greatest height. The one piece rings I00 and I02 fit snugly upon the hearth plate 88 to form a sheltered gutter or ignition groove IOI. As before stated, the rings are continuous and are positioned with respect to each other and upper hearth plate 88 by means of L shaped pieces I06 which are spotwelded to said rings and hearth plate. Outer ring I04 also fits snugly on the hearth plate 88 and may be termed a splash ring as it is for the purpose of confining any fuel oil which may splash from impact ring I02 within the combustion zone. An igniter H0 is provided adjacent and inwardly of ring I00 and is generally of the type disclosed in my previous application Serial No. 731,562, filed June 20, 1934.

The valve assembly maintains the oil at the level of line II4 (Figure 1) so that the lower portion of threads 52 of rotating portion 2 are always immersed for about of their length. As soon as portion 2 starts revolving, threads 52 will carry the oil upwardly and when it reaches the upper portion of said threads, due to centrifugal force, it will divide equally, half going into each flinger tube 58 and thence being flung outwardly from each nozzle 60. The discharged oil flies toward the impact ring 102 and upon impact therewith is shattered into smaller particles. Air is supplied through apertures I 0 of burner A and is carried upwardly through the center orifice formed by member 98, and is then forced outwardly by fan blades 80. The air strikes the ring I 00 and is deflected upwardly and outwardly, a portion of it admixing with the oil particles, thus forming'a combustible mixture in the groove or gutter formed by impact ring I02, hearth 88 and ring I00. Initial combustion takes place in said groove by means of the spark created across the spark gap by electrode H0. The groove is deep and forms an excellent area for flame propagation. As soon as the rings become heated, the impinging oil is completely vaporized, and the flame rises and licks the periphery of the combustion chamber. The flame also heats the outer surface of the ring I02 to render the entire ring intensely hot and capable of instantaneously vaporizing all impinging oil.

The only wearing surfaces of the burner are the lower portion of shaft 62 and the portion 24 of sleeve 22. An extremely long bearing-as compared to the diameter-is provided between these surfaces which is conducive to low unit stresses. Due to the height of oil reservoir 36, lubrication of these parts is insured practically throughout their entire contact. This factor, together with the low unit stress factor, insures minimum wear with a consequent long life. Thrust ball 66 carries only the weight of the parts comprising rotating portion 2 and inasmuch as it is constantly bathed in oil, its wear is negligible.

Therefore, my invention comprises an extremely efficient burner having few parts and which requires a minimum of associated devices for its safe and efiicient operation. Servicing of this burner is exceedingly simple. The removal of the rotating portion 2 of the burner proper is accomplished merely by reaching in through the fire door and lifting it out,

During operation the motor is adequately cooled by air currents. A plurality of currents enter openings Ill and sweep over the upper surface of the stator and a plurality of air currents enter openings 5 and sweep over the lower surface of the stator and upwardly between the stator and rotor, thereby effectively abstracting heat from the motor parts.

It is interesting to note that the operation of this burner is based in great part upon the physical law that liquids seek their own levels. Thus, the level of the fuel oil in the burner is maintained equal to the controlled level in the valve assembly; and capillary action insures adequate lubrication of shaft 62 irrespective of the-level of the lubricant in oil reservoir 36.

One preferred or suitable form of water heater D is shown in Figure 1 mounted in position upon the base B for cooperation with the burner assembly just described. The heater unit is so constructed and assembled that one of its internal parts forms a combustion chamber for special close cooperation with the burner assembly, and comprises the following parts,described without adhering to the manner or order in which they are put together.

A pair of concentric cylindrical shells, I55 and I56, are spaced by a ring I51 to which the former is welded adjacent its lower edge. The ring and the outer shell rest upon a circular gasket I58 carried by base flange 85, the latter and the ring being so shaped and of such size that when the burner assembly is added the hearth rim 89 will be disposed beyond the periphery of the shell I55 and close to the lower edge thereof, as seen in Figure 1. An integral upstanding ring I60 is formed on the base flange 85, this ring being larger in diameter than the shell I56 to permit a free fit under all conditions. The annular space between these two members is then packed with furnace cement, as at I62.

The inner shell I55 is short in height and is capped by a dome plate I63 provided with a rim I64 which fits snugly within the upper end of the shell and is welded thereto, as shown. The shell and plate thus produce an inverted cup-shaped member which forms the combustion chamber C. A relatively large flue or pipe I65 is Welded at its lower end to the center of the dome plate I63 and extends vertically upwardly for Welded connection with the center of a tank top plate (not shown) which in turn is welded at its rim to the upper edge of the outer shell I56. The internal members thus cooperate with the external member I56 to form a water chamber I61. A number of these members, especially when the water action is bad, are preferably formed of a copper alloy consisting approximately of 94% Cu, 4% Si, and 2% Mn. The other members are of galvanized steel. The tank thus formed has drain inlet connections I68 and I10 and a discharge outlet connection at the top of the tank (not shown); and may have further connections for drainage and reception of an instrument respectively, or which may be used to permit installation of a return hot water system of the type designed to afford instantaneous hot water at the household faucets.

In Figures 3, 4 and 5 I have illustrated a modified construction wherein the fuel oil is employed to lubricate the shaft bearings and wherein the shaft bearings assume a different form and are secured in place in the motor base in a somewhat difierent manner.

With reference to these figures, many of the parts are identically similar to those of the pre viously described form of the invention and have been given the same reference characters, whereas similar parts have been given the corresponding reference characters with the subscript a. In this form of the invention the upper sides of coils 9 are brought closer to stator B in order to render the assembly more compact and ears I1a are located at the bottom of base 4. These ears enable the use of wing nuts in supporting the motor and thus provide a simple means for ready removal of the burner proper, which combined with the rotating member (which can be removed easily) makes all parts of the burner readily accessible for inspection and repairs.

In this form of the invention the inner wall of casing 4a is provided with a plurality of cored out recesses I19 for receiving the heads of rivets I88 employed to secure together the stator laminations. Rivets I cooperate with recesses I19 to insure proper alignment of the stator in the casing and recesses I19 prevent the rivet heads from holding the stator up off of its upwardly facing shoulder in casing 4a.

Sleeve 22a is made of bronze as before but it is provided with an annular groove I8I and a reduced threaded portion I82, the latter extending freely through an opening I83 in casing 4a. Sleeve 22a is maintained in place in casing 4 by means of a nut member I84 and a gasket I85. Nut member I84 is provided with a recess I86 in which a hardened bearing 36a is mounted.

Provided in groove portion I8I of sleeve 22a are one or more apertures I88 which place the interior 24a of the sleeve in fluid communication with chamber 31. Formed in casing 4a is an inclined fuel oil supply passage I9I which communicates with chamber 31 and is provided with a fitting I92 for securing it to pipe line 43. Passage I9I is preferably inclined as shown to prevent air from working back into the line.

This construction accordingly supplies fuel oil to chamber 31 to be lifted by threads 52 in the manner described in connection with the first form of the invention. Also, should it be desired for servicing or other purposes, sleeve 220. may be readily removed by loosening nut I84 and lifting the sleeve out of its place.

The motor may be supplied with electricity in any suitable manner, for instance, a pair of wires I94 and I95 connected to coils 9 may be led through an opening in casing 4a and a junction box I 96 and be connected to a power line through suitable switches in well-known manner.

In Figure 6 there is illustrated a further form of assembly which is somewhat similar to the first form of the invention in that a separate lubricating oil system is provided, but the bearing sleeve is of different construction.

With continued reference to this figure, casing 41) is provided with a parallel-walled opening 20I through which the reduced end of sleeve 2211 extends. Sleeve 22b is provided with a flange 282 and a gasket 263 is preferably interposed between it and the upper surface of the base. Sleeve 22b is also provided with an internal bore 264 which is larger than passage 24b and is internally threaded at its lower end. Sleeve 22b is provided with a transverse oil duct 205 which communicates with an annular groove 266 formed in casing 41). Communicating with groove 266 is an oil duct 291 Whose outer end is provided with a lubricant reservoir 36, similar to that of Figure 7. Fuel oil is supplied to chamber 31 by a series of ducts identically similar to Figures 1 and 2 and.

they accordingly have not been shown in this figure.

Sleeve 22b is securely clamped in place in base 4b by means of a bolt-like member 208, which is threaded into sleeve 22b, and a washer 209, which is clamped between the head of the bolt and the lower surfaces of base 4b and sleeve 22b. The threaded end of bolt 208 terminates short of the end of bore 204 to provide a space for a bearing block 30b which may be supported on a small compression spring 2 l located in a recess 2 in the bolt, so as to afford a resilient mounting for shaft 62.

In all of the forms of the invention it is observed that the casing or base defines an upwardly facing compartment in which the motor and fuel lifting assembly is compactly mounted, the motor coils are efliciently cooled by the air drawn in for combustion with the fuel and the constructions do not embody any downwardly facing joints involving relatively rotatable parts which must be sealed against fluid leakage.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A fuel lifting and projecting head assembly comprising a motor casing having means forming a pair of upright stationary cylindrical walls therein, concentrically spaced to provide an annular chamber; means closing the lower end of said chamber and supplying oil thereto; a rotor unit; said unit having a portion projecting downwardly into said annular chamber and cooperating with the latter to pump oil upwardly through the unit; and an armature in said motor casing for driving said rotor unit.

2. In the assembly described in claim 1, a pair of concentric screw thread formations between said downwardly projecting portion of the rotor unit and the cylindrical walls of said annular chamber, one of said formations being designed to prevent oil from passing upwardly of the chamber, and the other of said formations being designed to pump oil upwardly of the chamber.

3. In the assembly defined in claim 1, said rotor unit including a vertical shaft journaled within the inner one of said. concentric walls and provided with a bearing upon said means that closes the lower end of the annular chamber.

4. In the assembly set forth in claim 1, said driving means comprising an electromagnetic device secured to the rotor unit and surrounding the outer one of said concentric walls.

5. In a liquid fuel lifting apparatus, a generally cup-shaped casing having an open top and a closed bottom, an upright bearing member disposed in said casing and having its lower end extending through an opening in the closed bottom of said casing, a nut element threadedly connected to said lower end of said member and urging the latter into fluid-sealing engagement with said bottom, said casing having an upright annular wall therein surrounding said member and providing a fuel chamber therearound, means for supplying liquid fuel to said chamber, and means, rotatably journaled upon said member and projecting into said chamber, for lifting said liquid fuel therefrom.

6. The apparatus described in claim 5, wherein said rotatable means is ournaled within said member, together with means for su lying lubricating on to the interior or said member.

7. The apparatus described in claim 5, wherein said member constitutes a sleeve in which said rotatable means is Journaled, and said sleeve is provided with at least one opening below the level of liquid fuel in said chamber for placing the interior of said sleeve in fluid communication with said chamber to aiiord, lubrication for said means.

8. The apparatus described in claim 5, wherein said nut element constitutes an internally threaded nut surrounding the reduced lower end or said member.

B. The apparatus described in claim 5, wherein said nut element comprises an externally threaded bolt member threadedly engaging the walls of a recess provided in said member.

10. In a liquid fuel distributing apparatus, a casing having an open top and a closed bottom and having an upright annular wall therein providlng an upwardly-facing chamber, an upright sleeve member disposed in said chamber and supported by said closed bottom, means for supplying liquid fuel to said chamber, a fuel lifting and distributing means disposed in said casing and having a shaft member journaled in said sleeve member, a bearing disposed in said sleeve member and cooperating with the lower end of said shaft member to rotatably support the latter, and means for resiliently supporting said bearing, v

11. The apparatus described in claim 10, wherein said sleeve member projects through an opening in said closed bottom and is secured therein by means of a nut-like element, and said means 101 resiliently supporting said bearing comprises a compression spring located in a recess in said element.

12. A unitary liquid fuel distributor assembly comprising a motor casing having a stator mounted therein and providing a central space, said motor casing having an upright cylindrical shell projecting upwardly in said central space and having a closed bottom to provide a liquid fuel reservoir, means for feeding liquid fuel to the interior of said shell, and a rotor journaled in said motor housing and carrying an armature designed to rotate in the annular space formed between said shell and said stator, said rotor also embodying a sleeve-like portion fitting in said shell and operable to lift said fuel upwardly, said rotor also having a plurality of fiinger tubes extending upwardly and outwardly away from the axis thereof and operable to throw the fuel lifted by said sleeve-like portion of said rotor.

13. The apparatus described in claim 12, together with a hollow member supported at the bottom of said casing within and spaced from said shell, said sleeve-like portion of said rotor fitting into the annular space provided by said member and said shell.

14. In combination, a generally cup-shaped housing having a central internal hollow boss defining an open ended liquid reservoir, means for introducing a liquid into said reservoir, an electric motor within said housing comprising a stator rigid with said housing and a hollow rotor element extending through said boss and rotatably supported by said housing and means on that portion of said rotor element which is disposed within said boss for pumping liquid upwardly through said hollow rotor element when said motor is energized.

15. In the combination defined in claim 14, said pumping means comprising an internally threaded portion of said rotor element.

16. In the oinloifiation defined in claim 14, a", supporting shaft for said rotor extending through said hollow rotor element and said boss and bearing means for said shaft adjacent the bottom wall of said housing.

MILTON A. POWERS. 

